1. Min thickness for front brake disks (98 Laguna 1.6RT - vented) . where can I find such information - there doesn\'t seem to be a Haynes manual for this.
2. Showroom has been somewhat enthusiastic with polish, leaving a lot white deposits on the black trim. How do you remove it?
Any advice welcome.. Read more

If I wish to change the front brake pads on a 1996 Laguna 1.8 is it ok to ease the brake pistons back . I have heard that on some cars fitted with abs (like this one) you should undo the caliper bleed nipple to avoid damage to the abs unit .
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Here's one for the armchair experts, (real, imagined and wannabe) from the days when they made proper engines.

One of my '66 Mustangs has covered a known 139,000 miles from new on the original Ford V-8. It is used regularly, consumes virtually no oil between 5,000 km changes, (oil remains cleanish) runs quietly and is still good for over 100 mph. Waterworks are reasonably clean, flushed now and then, although she does get up to the top of the gauge in heavy traffic (but then we don't get many days in Manila less than 30 degrees C.) and traffic is always heavy. The transmission fluid was changed last year for the first time when the pan gasket sprang a leak and the rear axle oil has never been changed (the Ford manual states this is unnecessary). The car has never had any kind of mechanical attention other than normal servicing beyond one new alternator, brakes, hoses and belts from time to time.

My mechanically-minded friends are split between the aviation breed (pull things down at specified intervals regardless) who prophesy the engine's innards (valve springs, head gasket, t/chain) are tiring and should be overhauled before something goes wrong, and the "I used to have one of them" crowd who say leave well alone, "my old man did 350 thou in one of them and never put a wrench on it etc".

Personally I think the original Ford V-8's are fabulous motors and over-engineered in the best of older US auto traditions. Since even a flatout expressway storm seldom pushes it above 3000 rpm it never feels like it's working hard. In fact my current F150 truck's V-8 is similar -- today its engine was turning over at only about 1500 rpm during a 100 kph run, so smooth you couldn't feel or hear it.

Since this has become a regular topic round the bar I said I would seek second, third, fourth &c opinions. By definition I guess these will come from the ..er...more mature contributors. The team who gets the least votes will shout the drinks, needless to say.

Over to the forum........
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Hello


I've just brought a mazda 323 glx v6 94 m with 74000 miles picked the car up on tuesday 28/5/02 and on 1/6/02 the abs light has come on while driving, drivers side outer driveshaft gaitour has come off and the aircon matrix is leaking a green fluid,the car was brought from a used car garge in bicester, what can i do.

stuart Read more

Invited to Penshurst Place, nr Tonbridge, today by Renault to test drive their range of cars. I think this is part of a national 'roadshow' - go if you get the chance, its a great day out.

Had to prebook my 2 test drives (a Scenic - poor, and a Laguna - good) but grabbed the chance to drive the new Avantime for 30 mins. What a strange car! Still not sure if it was any good, but I've never been stared at so much. The styling grew on me and in dark colours it looks particularly good.

However, I've got a sneaky suspicion this is going to be a residual lead balloon when it comes to trade in time. Any Renault fans want to disagree?

Simon Read more